Taking In An Orphan

Chapter 23

A/N: Hello everyone! I wanted to let you all know that I will be unable to write for the next few weeks because I am getting a new computer and I‘m not sure how long it will take to set up and everything. Sorry about this, but I promise I will be back with more chapters in a few weeks! Thanks to all you loyal readers! I will write again soon! 

Ezra followed Hondo through the crowded casino. He could somehow sense the danger around him and he stayed close to Hondo, who was the most protective thing for the time being. Hondo rolled the crate around, looking for his buyer. Finally he spotted him and made his way toward a table. 

“Ah, there she is. Now, she may not understand why you are here, so stay silent.” Ezra remembered his time with the Empire, never being allowed to talk freely. Ezra just nodded. He stuck his thumb in his mouth, nervous about meeting this “buyer.” 

Hondo went over to the booth in the back, Hondo greeted the man and madde Ezra slide in first. Ezra slumped down in his seat under the gaze of the buyer. 

The woman wasn’t human, but Ezra couldn’t recognize what she was. She wore a hood over her blue skin and clicked large nails - claws - on the table as she waited. 

“Hondo. Am I correct that you have the supplies?” 

“Um, yes ma’am, right here.” Hondo gestured to the crate next to him. 

“Now, don’t mind if one of my crew checks that the supply is correct. Although I trust you I cannot treat one of my suppliers differently than the rest.” A tall muscular man came over to check the crate’s contents. Ezra shrank away at the approach of the man. 

“I see you have brought your own security with you.” The woman turned her gaze on Ezra and he saw her red eyes from inside her hood. “What’s your name, sweetie?” 

Ezra scooched even closer to Hondo under the gaze of the woman. 

“This is Dev. He’s somewhat of a ...stowaway.” 

“Oh, well in that case I can take him off your hands.” Suddenly, a transmission came in for Hondo. 

“Oh, excuse me for a moment.” Hondo left to check the transmission, leaving Ezra with the woman. 

“How old are you, Dev?” Ezra sniffled, but didn’t answer. “Answer me, young one.” The woman’s voice sounded slightly irritated. Again, Ezra remembered his time with the empire. When they told him to talk, he had to talk or they would poke him with an electrical stick. 

“I’m four.” 

“And why aren’t you with your parents?” 

“My parents are gone.” 

“Well in that case, you can come with me and I can help you find an even better home. You can work and play and have fun.” 

“No, I…” Hondo had returned. 

“So sorry about that. Another business deal going on. May I buy you a drink?” 

“Of course, but then we can discuss our business over a game of Sabacc, how does that sound?” 

“Yes, yes I will go grab you a drink. Dev, come join me.” Ezra hopped up to follow Hondo. “Your crew is on their way. Now carry this drink back to the table.” 

Ezra brought two drinks to the table, careful not to spill a drop so that they didn’t get angry with him. He sat down and watched the door, waiting for his crew to come in and save him. Under the woman’s gaze, he stuck his thumb back into his mouth. 

“Now Dev, you’re a cute one. Have you ever...worked for anyone before?” 

Ezra shook his head.